In their rush to pretend that Fatah was fighting Hamas until last week - despite open diplomatic coordination and promises of military assistance over the past few months - the AP describes reality as such:

On Monday, Abbas took a conciliatory tone toward his Hamas rivals in a major policy speech, calling for a "new page" in relations between the bitter enemies. Fatah and Hamas have been at odds since Hamas won parliamentary elections in January 2006. Those differences boiled over into open warfare that peaked with Hamas' driving Fatah out of Gaza in June.

Hey, wouldn't be great if that was true and if Abbas hadn't at one point sworn in a Fatah-Hamas unity government? Answer: yes it would be great, because then there would be at least one reason to believe that Fatah can be bolstered as a permanent moderate force against Hamas. Unfortunately: lie.

But no honestly, it would be totally awesome if it was true.

References:
* Hamas And Fatah: Any Compromise On Any Part Of Jerusalem Is Treason (Plus: Blair: Peace Deal Within A Year) (Updated: Eloquent And Prescient Reuters Picture Of The Year) [MR]
* Fatah: We're Going To Use Our New US And Russian-Supplied Weapons To Fight With Hamas Against Israel (Plus: Hamas Upgrades, Stockpiles Their Qassams) [MR]
* Hamas: We spurned European truce offer [AP]
* Abbas swears in Hamas-Fatah unity government [Ha'aretz]

Previously:
* Abbas: "Killing Palestinian Soldiers Who Are Firing Rockets At Israeli Schools And Hospitals Is A Massacre"
* Done and Done: Abbas Takes US Money and Cutting Edge Weapons, Tells the US That He's Siding With Hamas Anyway
* Abbas: "If You Don't Give Me Everything I Won't Accept Anything"